What are you reading.

Thank you, Whitewave. The publication date makes them even more attractive to me. I shall look at once.

I do so hope that there will be more Matthew Shardlake stories, I love them.

Mother Missing- Joyce Carol Oates. Although she's a very serious writer who tackles some quite dark subjects, she writes so well that by the end of her books I feel as if her characters are real and are out there somewhere living their lives. She is just brilliant.

I recently picked up a children's book from library for my grandson called A Boy and a Bear in a Boat. I read it before reading it with him and decided not to. Although it is a good book and very funny in parts, I found it rather unsettling. Has anyone else read it and if so what did you think it was about?

Do have a look at my book 'Christmas at Great Madden' (by Catherine J Bowness). You can get it on Amazon either in a kindle format or as a paperback. It follows a traditional family as they celebrate Christmas in 1965. You might find it hard to believe it's set in the 60s because this family lives in a shabby manor house in the depths of the country and behaves more like Victorians than 60s swingers. But even they cannot keep change at bay for ever. Though I say so myself, it's fun and humorous with romance at its heart.

I'm reading 'Madam, will you talk?' by Mary Stewart. I LOVE Mary Stewart: well written, mystery, excitement and romance all in a gentle but totally page-turning style.

catbower that is a bit naughty advertising your own book

Just started 'Moriarty' by Anthony Horowitz. It's his latest Sherlock Holmes book but without SH or Dr W. His previous book 'House of Silk' was very good.

I`ve just started Unlucky 13, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, a bit early yet, but I think it`ll be good, that series has been up to now.

It was a bit but I thought you might like to know about it. Sorry! Sadly, have already finished Mary Stewart so will have to look around for something else. I think I might try another Elizabeth Taylor - Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont is very good and not too long.

Lanterns across the snow by Susan Hill.Short,but a lovely pre-Christmas read.

I've been reading The Christmas Party by Carole Matthews but found it totally boring and long winded so have given up and ordered a new book from Amazon which came yesterday Sleigh Bells in the Snow so see how this one goes on. I am also reading a Christmas edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul which have beautiful stories in them and are a wonderful way to get in the mood for the festive period.

Coming towards the end of Unlucky 13, it`s been just as good as it`s predecessors in the series, have really enjoyed it.

I've discovered Ann Tyler. Brilliant writer!

Just starting Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher, one of my favourite Christmas reads and then I will go on to A Christmas Carol by Dickens.

I do love Winter Solstice [even though it is a bit 'we've fallen on hard times so we've had to do away with the butler'ish']. I may dig it out and read it also. I always start a Christmas Carol at this time of year but never get very far. Often try to imagine Christmas without A Christmas Carol but it's impossible....

Tegan your Winter Solstice comment made me smile but I will still enjoy my read.

Same here Lapwing;it's a real 'curl up on the sofa on a cold winters day' book, isn't it. I love The Shell Seekers too, as I lived in Cornwall for a while.

I`ve read a few books now about life, particularly for women and girls, in Afghanistan, and now have a list of 6 more that someone`s suggested to me, so am going to give them a go, next time I send in an order to Amazon. I find these books very interesting and enlightening.

I have been reading Anna Jacobs books, she write about Lancashire and Australia in 1800s. I like her series of books. which start with one person then other family members come in with their stories. They keep you interested and before you know, you are reading the next book to find out how they are all doing. I come from Lancashire and have been to Perth, So know the places she write about.

marelli Lucky you! i wish I had all Ann Tyler's books unread before me. My favourite is 'Digging to America' about two sets of parents and grandparents who adopted a child from China.

Third book of the Hunger Games Trilogy. I have to keep putting it down to recover. Good though.

MrBags and Minibags have apparently agreed between them that Katniss is a less impressive heroine than Hermione Grainger. Hmm. I think they are forgetting that Hermione did not spend her childhood half starved in a totalitarian world.

Am now reading The Devil`s Garden, by Richard Montenari, but I realised a few pages in that I`d read it before. I can remember some, but not all of it, so will carry on and read it again.

have just finished 'how the light gets in' by Louise Penny. It is one of her best Armand Gamache books and she is back in Three Pines for this story.
As it ends with Gamache retiring (?) I hope it is not the last
the title is taken from the beautiful words of the song 'Anthem' by Leonard Cohen (always loved his voice and music)
I do find these words are so emotive and moving
"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in."

I have just started the last of four novels about Bouddica by Manda Scott - 'Dreaming the Serpent Spear'. They have all been 'unputdownable'. After that I am going to have another go at The Blind Assassin by Margaret Attwood. I gave up on it last year.